West End | ALXnow

Expired Landmark Overlook project in Alexandria’s West End gets three-year extension

Published July 3, 2025 at 1:45PM

Landmark Overlook would transform the corner of South Wilkes Street and Stephenson Avenue into a mixed use property with hotels or office buildings, two-level stacked condominium units, apartments and retail. (Image via City of Alexandria)

The Alexandria City Council, this week, approved the three-year extension of an expired plan to build hundreds of residential units in Alexandria’s Landmark area.

The three-year development special use permit for the 8-acre Landmark Overlook project expired in February. Council initially approved the plan in 2022 by West End Development Associates to build 450 residential units in seven townhomes and two multifamily apartment buildings on the eight-acre site at 5901, 5951, and 5999 Stevenson Avenue and 2 South Whiting Street.

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Man found in Holmes Run with duct tape around mouth died of ‘self-inflicted’ gunshot, APD says

By James Cullum

Published July 2, 2025 at 4:48PM

A man was found dead in the 5200 block of Holmes Run Parkway, July 2, 2025 (via Google Maps)

A man found deceased this morning (July 2) with a gunshot wound to his head and black duct tape wrapped around his mouth in Holmes Run Park shot himself, according to a preliminary report from the Alexandria Police Department.

APD was notified at around 6:45 a.m. that a man with black duct tape wrapped around his mouth was found lying on the ground near a picnic table in the 5200 block of Holmes Run Parkway, according to dispatch reports. Police are conducting an investigation into the death, and the investigation is ongoing, according to APD.

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AlexWest Small Area Plan wins top award

By James Cullum

Published June 30, 2025 at 3:15PM

Traffic backup heading eastbound along Duke Street (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Alexandria’s plan for the development of its West End just won a top award from the Virginia Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA).

After years of discussion, the City Council adopted the AlexWest Small Area Plan last December. With the massive WestEnd mixed use development working to unveil several new buildings, and Inova at Landmark poised to open in 2028, the plan recommends significant expansion of Dora Kelley Nature Park, a new public park adjacent to the Winkler Botanical Preserve, and a new park at the corner of Seminary Road and N. Beauregard Street.

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No injuries in industrial fire in Alexandria’s West End

By James Cullum

Published June 27, 2025 at 10:00AM

An early morning fire in the 600 block of Burnside Place in Alexandria's West End, June 26, 2025 (via Facebook)

No injuries were reported after the Alexandria Fire Department extinguished a blaze at a commercial building in an industrial area of the West End on Thursday (June 26).

The Alexandria Firefighters Inc. Local 2141 reported the blaze just after 3 a.m. in the 600 block of Burnside Place, which is just off S. Van Dorn Street.

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City hosting construction update on Cameron Station Overpass Bridge makeover

By James Cullum

Published June 25, 2025 at 3:30PM

The Richard B. Liebach Bridge at Duke Street in Alexandria's West End (via Google Maps)

Repairs to the overpass bridge linking Duke Street and Ben Brenman Park, near Cameron Station, are scheduled to begin this month, and the city is hosting a community meeting on the project.

The city estimates that the $2.5 million repair project will be completed by November, and it includes periodic lane closures on Breman Park Drive and Duke Street near the bridge during construction hours, according to the city. The project schedule is also contingent on the weather.

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Improvements to John Ewald Park in Alexandria’s West End heading to public hearing Thursday

By James Cullum

Published June 25, 2025 at 1:45PM

A conceptual rendering of improvements at John Ewald Park at 4452 Duke Street (image via City of Alexandria)

A relocated children’s area, enhanced lighting and multi-use courts are just a few of the proposed recommendations to revitalize John Ewald Park (4452 Duke Street).

Plans have long been in the works for the West End park, and the city’s Park and Recreation Commission will hold its public hearing on the improvements on Thursday (June 26) at 7 p.m. at Patrick Henry Recreation Center (4653 Taney Avenue).

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Health assessment shows disparities in Alexandria’s West End and Arlandria neighborhoods

By James Cullum

Published June 24, 2025 at 2:00PM

Selling fruit in Arlandria. (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria residents living in the West End and Arlandria have shorter life expectancies, more health problems, and are more depressed than their neighbors living in more affluent areas.

That’s according to the city’s 2025 State of Health report, which found residents in those areas are disproportionately living below the poverty level and are more likely to be depressed, suffer from chronic conditions, have bad teeth, and more.

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Planning underway for capital improvements at Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Center

By James Cullum

Published June 23, 2025 at 6:00AM | Updated September 8, 2025 at 11:06AM

Johnitha McNair, executive director of the Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Center (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Center (NVJDC) is undertaking a multi-year series of capital improvements, in addition to becoming its own food authority.

Leaders running the facility at 200 S. Whiting Street say they’re gradually changing it from a traditional detention center to a more rehabilitative facility. Proposed changes for the jail that houses 10- to 18-year-old kids across Northern Virginia include creating a more cheerful entry area for families, replacing the 64-year-old concrete slab beds on which kids sleep, and modifying overhead lighting to improve sleep.

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Developer wants extension for expired ‘Landmark Overlook’ construction permits

By James Cullum

Published June 12, 2025 at 3:30PM

Landmark Overlook would transform the corner of South Wilkes Street and Stephenson Avenue into a mixed use property with hotels or office buildings, two-level stacked condominium units, apartments and retail. (Image via City of Alexandria)

A developer is asking for an extension after permits expired earlier this year on a plan to build hundreds of residential units to Alexandria’s Landmark area.

City Council, in 2022, approved the plan to build 450 residential units in seven townhomes and two multifamily apartment buildings on the eight-acre site at 5901, 5951, and 5999 Stevenson Avenue and 2 South Whiting Street. The three-year development special use permit for the project expired in February and now applicant West End Development Associates wants three more years to finish the project.

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Alexandria to host open house for four West End infrastructure projects

By Ryan Belmore

Published June 2, 2025 at 9:15PM

The Holmes Run Trail (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Alexandria is hosting an Open House on June 11 to share design details for four infrastructure projects near Sanger Avenue and North Beauregard Street in the city’s west end.

The event runs from 6 to 8 p.m. at William Ramsay Recreation Center (5650 Sanger Avenue). Residents can drop by to learn about construction plans, work schedules, parking changes, and trail detours for projects starting this summer.

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Two transported to Alexandria Hospital after crash at N. Van Dorn Street intersection

By James Cullum

Published May 30, 2025 at 3:00PM | Updated May 30, 2025 at 3:22PM

A crash at S. Van Down Street and W./ Braddock Road, May 30, 2025 (via Bluesky)

Two people were transported to Inova Alexandria Hospital this afternoon (May 30) after a two-car crash at N. Van Dorn Street and W. Braddock Road.

The crash between a black truck and a gray vehicle was reported at around 12:30 p.m. and briefly shut down the intersection. One of the people transported to the hospital complained of arm, back and abdominal pain, but was walking and alert, according to dispatches with first responders.